Last week, Tim Tebow “took one for the team” by standing alone at a press conference arranged by the Jets organization. Tebow was left high and dry by the Jets and made to fend for himself, answering questions to a horde of more than 300 media members.

What do I mean by left high and dry? Well, not one member of the Jets organization, no one, nobody, nada – from the Jets owner, to the front office, to the coaching staff to any Jets player, were present at the conference.

I find it absolutely unbelievable that the Jets had the gall to arrange the Tebow press conference at the same time as the NFL owners meeting (March 26-28) in Palm Beach Florida. What were they afraid of? A better question is: Why would let Tebow answer questions that could open another can of worms for the media?

The Jets organization owes Tim Tebow a thank you for taking one for the team. His solo-performance in front of a pack of drueling media wolves was outstanding. He answered all the questions with courage, confidence, professionalism and media savvy.

I find that the biggest surprise of the Tebow conference was the lack of support from his teammates. You would think that if they had a “real” team captain, he would be there to introduce their new teammate. The absence of his teammates gives football the impression that the Jets players are egotistically, self-centered and not committed to mending the ugly locker room divide that raised it’s ugly head at the end of last season.

Wouldn’t it have been the thing to do for the team’s offensive captain be there to introduce Tim Tebow at the conference. Sure, Mark Sanchez wasn’t asked to be there, but I believe that any real leader, regardless of the awkwardness of the situation, would be there to make his new teammate feel part of the team.

If Sanchez had manned up and been there to introduce Tim, it would have sent a positive message to the entire Jets organization and Jets fans, that it is time to put things behind them and come together as a group. What’s the old saying? You can’t worry about things you can’t control!

The jury is out on whether Tebow will make the Jets a better team. But the actions of the entire Jets organization, from owner to Jets player show the team is in disarray. A big advantage their opponents will be able to exploit in the 2012 NFL season.

Yes, you bet Tebow took one for the team. He showed up and single handedly won the game by himself while the entire Jets organization sat on the sidelines. How shameful!

Thank goodness I’m not a Jets fan.

When the NFL free agency period opened on Monday, March 5, both the New York Jets and Washington Redskins thought they had a realistic chance of signing future hall-of-famer Peyton Manning.  By Saturday morning, both teams were reported out of the Peyton Manning free agency race; making other big time moves instead

The Jets made no excuses earlier this week that they were flirting with free agent Peyton Manning, even if it meant hurting Mark Sanchez’s feelings. But once they realized that a Jets-Peyton Manning marriage wasn’t in the cards, the Jets immediately kissed and made up with Sanchez with a 3 year contract extension that includes a guaranteed $20.5 million.  With this new contract the Jets agreed in principal to a 3 year, $40.5 million extension on top of the two years he had remaining on his old contract.  I’m sure this 5-year $58.25 million deal has soothed Sanchez feelings.

Another team that was seeking the services of Manning was the Washington Redskins. But late yesterday, FOX sports reported that the Skins had decided to pass on free agent Peyton Manning but made a big move by swapping draft picks with the St. Louis Rams to acquire the second pick in the upcoming 2012 NFL draft.  It is highly anticipated that the Redskins will pick Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner  Rober Griffin III.

According to sources familiar with the Peyton Manning free agency market, 6 teams remain in the hunt.  The oddsmakers have the Miami Dolphins as the favorite, at EVEN odds. Next are the Denver Broncos – 3/1, Arizona Cardinals – 4/1, Kansas City Chiefs – 6/1, Houston Texans – 10/1 and the San Francisco 49ers – 10/1.

Peyton Manning has said he plan to make a decision by next week.  Expect Peyton to stay in the AFC.

sources: New York Post, FOX Sports, thebleacherreport.com

What’s the key to winning the AFC Championship this Sunday? Some say it will be the team with the better passing game, while others might say the team with the best defense.  But the key to winning the AFC Championship could very well come down to which team has the best rushing game.

With the Jets and Steelers having plenty of game changing players in the secondary, running could very well be the key to winning even though the Steelers and Jets finished first and third, respectively, in rush defense. In their last regular season match up, the Jets ran for 106 yards and the Steelers 146.

The rushing game is key to winning the AFC Championship because the team that successfully runs the ball can control the play clock, setup the play action pass, and minimize turnovers.

Here are some facts about the Jets and Steelers:

Averages Per Game

Jets offensive average: 351 total yards, 202 yards passing and 148 yards rushing per game
Steelers offensive average: 345 total yards, 225 yards passing, 120 yards rushing per game

Jets defense average: 291 total yards, 200 passing and 91 rushing
Steelers defense ave: 276 total yards, 214 passing and 62 rushing

Post Season Trends

The Jets are 2-0 against the spread (ATS), 2-0 ATS away, 2-0 ATS as the underdog and 2-0 as an away underdog.
The Steelers are 1-0 against the spread (ATS), 1-0 ATS at home, 1-0 ATS as the favorite and 1-0 as a home favorite.

Jets and Steelers Regular Season

Matchup	JETS	STEELERS
Wins-Losses	11-5	12-4
Avg Points	22.9	23.4
Avg Points Allowed	19.0	14.5
Home Record	5-3	5-3
Road Record	6-2	7-1
Division Record	4-2	5-1
Conference Record	9-3	9-3

Look for both the Jets and Steelers to dominate the play clock with a game plan that emphasizes the running game.

source: espn.com